Name: Honey Glazed Carrots Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 pounds carrots (peeled); ¼ cup honey; 3 garlic cloves (minced); 2 tablespoons melted butter or ghee; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 teaspoon cinnamon; ½ teaspoon ground ginger; ½ teaspoon salt; ¼ teaspoon black pepper; parsley, thyme or other herbs for garnish (optional)

There’s something about the warm sweetness of roasted carrots that just hits the spot, especially when drizzled with a luscious honey glaze. This Honey Glazed Carrots Recipe is my go-to side, bringing out the carrots’ natural sugars with a savory hint of garlic and spice that makes every bite feel comforting and special.

A white bowl filled with two layers of glazed carrots. The carrots are mostly orange with a shiny texture from the glaze, giving them a moist and slightly sticky appearance. They are cut into medium-size pieces, some oval and some slightly angled, scattered throughout the bowl. Small green parsley leaves are sprinkled on top, adding fresh color contrast. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface with a few sprigs of fresh parsley nearby. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Honey Glazed Carrots Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Honey Glazed Carrots Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Honey Glazed Carrots Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’ve always found that simple recipes with just a handful of ingredients have the biggest impact—and this Honey Glazed Carrots Recipe is no exception. It’s quick, fuss-free, and transforms humble carrots into a dish that feels both elegant and homey.

Effortless prep: Just a quick toss with honey, butter, and spices before roasting—no complicated steps.
Perfect balance: The natural sweetness of the honey complements the caramelized edges, while garlic and warming spices add depth.
Versatile side dish: It pairs beautifully with everything from weeknight chicken to holiday roasts.
Customizable flavor: You can easily swap herbs or spices depending on what you have or prefer.

The image shows a bowl full of cooked baby carrots, cut in half or thirds, with a shiny, slightly sticky glaze giving them a rich orange-brown color. The carrots have a smooth texture with visible seasoning, small bits of herbs, and black pepper dots scattered over them. There are also small sprigs of green herbs sprinkled on top for contrast. A silver spoon rests on the edge inside the white bowl, which sits on a white marbled surface. The lighting highlights the glossy finish and warm tones of the carrots photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this recipe plays a special role in building that beautiful balance of sweet and savory flavors that make the Honey Glazed Carrots Recipe so addictive. Here’s a little breakdown of why these simple staples are the best choices.

Flat lay of peeled whole carrots with vibrant orange color, three whole garlic cloves with papery skins intact, a small white ceramic bowl of golden honey, a small white ceramic bowl containing melted butter with a glossy surface, a small white ceramic bowl of rich green olive oil, a small white ceramic bowl with warm brown ground cinnamon powder, a small white ceramic bowl with light beige ground ginger powder, a small white ceramic bowl of coarse white salt, a small white ceramic bowl of freshly ground black peppercorns, and a few sprigs of fresh green parsley and thyme herbs all arranged symmetrically and balanced, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Carrots: I like to use fresh, firm carrots—preferably organic if you can—to keep the sweetness intense and the texture tender when roasted.
Honey: This is the star of the glaze and provides natural sweetness and a lovely sticky glaze that caramelizes beautifully.
Garlic: Minced fresh garlic adds a subtle pungency that rounds out the sweetness without overpowering it.
Butter or ghee: Adds richness and helps the glaze coat the carrots evenly; ghee gives a nuttier flavor.
Olive oil: Helps with roasting and adds a subtle earthiness to balance the honey’s sweetness.
Cinnamon: Adds warmth and depth—this little pinch brings the carrots to life in a cozy way.
Ground ginger: Pairs beautifully with cinnamon and adds a slight zing to keep things interesting.
Salt and black pepper: Essential for seasoning, they enhance all the other flavors and balance the sweetness.
Fresh herbs (optional): Parsley, thyme, or your favorite herb add freshness and color as a garnish.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the things I love about this Honey Glazed Carrots Recipe is how easy it is to customize. Sometimes I add a splash of orange juice for an extra citrus twist, or swap thyme for rosemary depending on the season. It’s a recipe that really invites you to make it your own.

Variation: I experimented once with adding a pinch of smoked paprika and it gave the carrots a lovely smoky layer without overshadowing the honey glaze.
Diet-Friendly: For a dairy-free version, I always use ghee or skip the butter entirely and just add extra olive oil—you won't miss the butter at all.
Texture tweaks: Feel free to cut the carrots thicker for more bite or thinner if you want them to cook through faster and be super tender.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Honey Glazed Carrots Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Carrots Carefully

Start by peeling your carrots and slicing them on a diagonal into 1 to 1.5-inch pieces. I find that cutting them diagonally gives a nicer surface area for the glaze to cling to, plus they look pretty on the plate. If your carrots are thick, go ahead and slice them in half lengthwise to ensure they roast evenly.

Step 2: Toss with Honey and Spices

In a bowl, toss your carrots with honey, minced garlic, melted butter or ghee, olive oil, cinnamon, ground ginger, salt, and black pepper. Make sure every carrot piece is well coated—this is what builds the flavor and the caramelized glaze as they roast.

Step 3: Roast to Perfection

Spread the coated carrots evenly on a sheet pan—don’t crowd them or they’ll steam instead of brown. Roast at 425°F (220°C) for 20 to 25 minutes, tossing halfway through to ensure even caramelization. For an extra touch, I like to broil them for 2 to 3 minutes at the end to get those edges beautifully crisp and caramelized.

Step 4: Garnish and Serve

Once done, transfer the carrots to a serving dish and garnish with fresh chopped parsley or thyme. The herbs add a pop of color and a refreshing lift that complements the sweet glaze perfectly.

Top Tip

I’ve made this Honey Glazed Carrots Recipe dozens of times, and a few little tricks have really upped my game. These tips helped me avoid soggy carrots and keep that perfect balance of caramelized sweetness.

Dry your carrots well: Before tossing, pat the sliced carrots dry to prevent steaming during roasting, which keeps them crispy on the edges.
Don’t overcrowd the pan: Leaving space on the sheet pan lets the carrots roast rather than steam, which enhances caramelization.
Use a mix of butter and olive oil: Butter adds richness and olive oil helps the carrots roast evenly without burning the honey glaze quickly.
Broil at the end: A quick broil gives the glaze a beautiful color and a slight crispiness that feels totally restaurant-worthy.

How to Serve Honey Glazed Carrots Recipe

honey glazed carrots - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I’m a sucker for fresh herbs here—parsley and thyme are my favorites because their bright flavors cut through the sweetness nicely. Sometimes I sprinkle chopped toasted almonds or pistachios on top for a nutty crunch that’s just irresistible.

Side Dishes

Honey glazed carrots pair beautifully with just about anything—a roast chicken, grilled pork chops, or even your favorite veggie-forward grain bowls. For holiday meals, I like to serve them alongside mashed potatoes and a hearty main like beef brisket or turkey.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I arrange the glazed carrots in a pretty fan shape on a platter and sprinkle edible flowers or microgreens on top. It’s a simple way to elevate the look and make guests feel that extra love went into the meal.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I always store leftover honey glazed carrots in an airtight container in the fridge. They keep well for up to 3 days and actually taste better the next day once the flavors have had time to meld, though the texture softens a bit.

Freezing

While I don't usually freeze them because I prefer their texture fresh, you can freeze roasted glazed carrots. Just cool completely, freeze in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating

To reheat, I pop leftover carrots in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes to revive their caramelized edges. Microwave works in a pinch but they’ll be softer, so I save that for quick reheats.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use frozen carrots for this Honey Glazed Carrots Recipe?

Fresh carrots work best here because they roast nicely and develop a natural sweetness and caramelization. Frozen carrots tend to release more water and can become mushy when roasted, so I don’t recommend using them for this recipe.

Can I make this recipe on the stovetop instead of roasting?

You can, but roasting really brings out the best caramelized flavor. If you want to try stovetop, cook the carrots in a skillet with the honey glaze over medium heat until tender and caramelized, stirring frequently to avoid burning.

What herbs pair best with honey glazed carrots?

Parsley and thyme are my top picks—they add freshness without overpowering the sweetness. Rosemary also works well, especially if you want a more robust, pine-like aroma, but use it sparingly.

Can I make this Honey Glazed Carrots Recipe vegan?

Absolutely! Just swap the butter for plant-based margarine or additional olive oil, and make sure your honey alternative is vegan-friendly—maple syrup is a great substitute.

Final Thoughts

Honestly, this Honey Glazed Carrots Recipe has become a staple in my kitchen because it’s simple enough for weeknights but flavorful enough for special dinners. It’s a perfect way to get more veggies on the table without fuss and makes your meal feel a little more elevated. I hope you’ll enjoy making it as much as I do—it’s little recipes like this that turn everyday meals into something memorable.